GARY NEVILLE has lauded Arsenal star Jack Wilshere for his mature response to criticism from Manchester United legend Paul Scholes.

During an interview on Sky Sports, Scholes had lambasted Wilshere, claiming he hadn't improved since he was 17.

Wilshere later asked Neville for Scholes' number to demand an explanation.

Wilshere had admitted the criticism came 'out of the blue', and Neville has been impressed with the midfielder's response to the comments.

Writing in his EA Sports column, Neville said: “The way in which he has handled the conversation he had with Scholes and how he has talked about it this week shows a mature man who isn’t sitting there whinging.

“While Scholes’ words may have come across as critical, he wouldn’t even bother speaking about 99.9 per cent of football players; he wouldn’t give them the time of day. I know how much he rates Wilshere though.”